Los Angeles Lakers add Russell Westbrook to COVID-19 Protocols, per report

The Los Angeles Lakers have struggled this year despite the several additions that were made to the roster during the offseason. Although they are in the midst of a three-game winning streak, they are just three games above .500 (16-13)

The Lakers kicked off their recent three-game road trip with a 107-104 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.. But all of the news surrounding the team isn’t positive. One example of this is the fact that LeBron James has been in and out of the lineup.

Additionally, it is being reported that guards Russell Westbrook and Avery Bradley have entered the league’s health and safety protocols. This increases the team’s number of players in the league’s protocol to five. Westbrook flirted with a triple-double in the Lakers’ win over the Mavericks. He finished a state line of 23 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists. In addition to Westbrook and Bradley, the list includes Talen Horton-Tucker, Dwight Howard, and Malik Monk – all of which have entered the NBA’s health and safety protocol within the last 48 hours.

Lakers may sign Isaiah Thomas to help fill the void in the team’s backcourt

The Lakers’ roster is decimated to the extent that they plan to sign Isaiah Thomas to a 10-day contract, if the league grants them a hardship exemption. This option was implemented for teams that need to exceed the 15-man roster limit due to multiple players that are dealing with sickness and/or illness for two weeks.

Thomas last played in the NBA during the 2020-21 campaign. That stint was short-lived, to say the least. Thomas appeared in just three games (during the span of a 10-day contract) for New Orleans. He compiled averages of 7.7 points per contest. He shot 33.3 percent from the field and 25 percent from beyond the arc.

The Lakers are currently tied with the Los Angeles Clippers for the fifth-best record in the Western Conference. And they have upcoming games against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday and the Chicago Bulls on Sunday.

Sure, playoff berths aren’t clinched during the first half of the season. However, given the inconsistent play on the court, it will be interesting to see if the Lakers have what it takes to bounce back once their players return to the rotation.